The Savannah tribune. [volume] (Savannah [Ga.]) 1876-1960, 1887-06-25
GOTHAM'S GAMBLING DENS.
THE METHODS OF GAMBLERS IN
THE METROPOLIS.
Securing Victims The Polished
Ropers-In and Their Ways-How
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Times No one can obtain admittance to
o tirst-class "hell'' unless he is intro
duced, and hence the door is carefully
guarded; bat however secure they may
be from legal interference, there is dan
ger from espionage. Merchants fire.
quently find it important to watch their
clerks, and special detective might
thus interfere with the interests of the
institution But introduction is not diff
ficult to any one who has money. In
deed, there are persons lounging-and in
some cases even boarding lat the best
hotels who are employed to lead strangers
to these places of ruin. These troopers
In" are handsomely dressed, and have
that easy and elegant way that marks the
stcitizen of the world" They notice the
arrivals and closely scan each newcomer
and if any of the latter exhibit any sign
OF wealth the net is at once spread. First
comes the genial smile and the winning
conversation. The ''roper-in' is of course
business man and knows how to talk
business. The conversation then extends
to the wonderful sights offered by the
metropolis, and perhaps before another
evening has passed the stranger is ready
to survey Broadway by gaslight. Most
visitors are fond of adventure, which
companion naturally renders more attract
i've. They take an evening stroll, and
drink adds to the exhilaration of the
walk
After brief walk the ''roper-in' stops
before an elegant private house, remark
ing as he does So 81 wish to call on a
friend; will you accompany meW Ger
tainly," is the reply, and after ring at
the door they enter an elegant and spa
cious parlor where gentlemen are enjoy
ing the wspapers or conversation. Later
on musical bell is heard, announcing
supper, and this dispels all memory of the
stfriend" who was to be seen. The ''rOper
in intimates that they had better accept
The invitation, and they find in the next
room table glittering with silver plate
and laden with tempting dishes. In COM
mon with the rest they enjoy the luxurious
freely until the delicious delirium has
wrought its full power, when they adjourn
20 the room upstairs. Here a number
of gentlemen" are playing cards,
and at the head of the room the clerk is
selling circular pieces of ivory or metal,
called ''chips," each of which is stamped
with value from S. up to 800. 'You
perceive" says the decoy, ''that we have
entered the temple of fortune. Some of
the men before us will before morning
make thousands, while others will lose.
No one should play who has not nerve
enough to bear loss, and if he bears it
1N0Il1rr no Oh
always favors the bold" The visitor
soon sees men who commenced with a
dozen chips go in little time to the desk
with so or 100 and change them into
greenbacks, and so, to try his luck, he
ventures a S. bill and wins This sur
prises him, and he tries again, and again
wins. These gains he puts at risk once
more, and wins still larger sum. This
stimulates him to another throw, and he
loses. Perhaps" says the friend,
fortune has ceased her favor. Shall
you stop here 2" cone more, first, says
the victim, and he wins. Another, and
he loses, and the next moment wins
again.
He now becomes more excited than
ever and continues the game. Indeed,
it is almost impossible to break off until
the rooms are closed at approach of
dawn. He settles with the ''bank," as
the proprietor is called, and finds him
self the winner by $50. This is strange
but pleasing appearance, and as he walks
back to his hotel he is conscious of new
and powerful appetite. Having arrived
at his room he seeks rest in vain, but may
at least be able to dream of the bank and
its pile of wealth. The next night he
tries his luck again with varied
success and with still deeper excitement,
and thus he is led on, one step at time,
until he has reached a condition favorable
for finishing his case, which is then ac-
complished. 1t is not uncommon for
several pigeons to be plucked at the same
house and at the same time Concerning
these decoys, it may be said that they are
in many cases polished gentlemen. They
are well paid, the rate, of course, de
pending on their success. Thus, if s., 600
be won from one of their dupes, the
troper-inn should expect at least $500
This he is not expected to keep. Indeed
it is probable that his love of gaming will
soon lead him to lose this at the hands of
some more adroit master of the art. After
Che ''roper-in" has got too old and shaky
for his trade he is turned off to shift for
himself.
Many years ago a young man of one of
4Ne first families succeeded in getting an
appointment as purser in The navy. He
was dissolute fellow, and among other
vices was addicted to gambling. AS a
result, instead of acquiring competence,
as he might have done, he became a
heavy defaulter and was obliged to re-
sign. Previous to this he had won the
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